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South African firefighters battle blaze on Cape Town mountains | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
More than 100 South African firefighters are battling wildfires on the mountains around Cape Town. | |
Thousands of hectares of vegetation have been reduced to ashes on Chapman's Peak, while several homes and a holiday lodge have been destroyed. | Thousands of hectares of vegetation have been reduced to ashes on Chapman's Peak, while several homes and a holiday lodge have been destroyed. |
More than 50 people - residents of a retirement home - have been treated for smoke inhalation, officials say. | More than 50 people - residents of a retirement home - have been treated for smoke inhalation, officials say. |
The fire started on Sunday and was fanned by strong winds, causing it to spread rapidly. | |
Roads in the area have been closed because of poor visibility. | |
Four helicopters are on the scene, water-bombing the area. | Four helicopters are on the scene, water-bombing the area. |
Three mass care centres have been set up to accommodate those who have had to flee their homes. | |
Such fires are common in the area from November to May, when whether conditions are hot and windy, but it has been hotter than usual in recent weeks. |